There were quite a few birders out today and as a result a good range of sightings were submitted. Having not been reported for a few days the White-fronted Goose was still out just west of Bestwall. Down at Swineham Point 2 Marsh Harrier were stirring from Giggers Island and a few Water Pipit were in the channels to the east. At Holmebridge a drake Goosander flew over west towards the harbour and in the woods a Marsh Tit was in the mixed tit flock again. Along Holme Lane 7 Cattle Egret were in fields to the north of Bog Lane, c15 Black-necked Grebe were logged off Middle beach, Studland and a Slavonian Grebe was off Bramble Bush Bay with a Great Northern Diver too. There  was a possible arrival of duck as Holes Bay NW saw a decent count of 35 Shoveler Duck along with what looked like a slight increase in Pintail and Gadwall too. Along the Whitley Lake cycle path at Sandbanks both Turnstone and Bar-tailed Godwit were feeding close to the cycle path and a small flock of Sanderling were roosting on the groynes around the corner from the Haven Hotel. From our BoPH HQ front door today 92 Cormorant, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, a fly by male Goldeneye, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe (along the Brownsea shoreline) were logged. In Poole Park Lake there were 4 Goldeneye and 1 Red-breasted Merganser.

Goldeneye – Poole Park boating lake – Clare Slade

With the temperature dropping it seems there has been a bit of a clear out of some bird species as frost became settled on many cars even before 9pm. A night monitoring session at a usually productive site for Common Snipe, Woodcock and Teal saw ZERO birds present suggesting they’d moved out (south?) for a short while. However with the still weather continuing, open water species continue to be easier to count/find with 17 Black-necked Grebe out in Studland Bay, 2 Great Northern Diver out in South Deep, 21 Goldeneye and 24 Spoonbill off Shiptal Point, Arne and 2 Sandwich Tern off Baiter. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Slepe Heath and then later seen at Middlebere for a brief period and out on the salt marsh Brent Geese totals seem to be at peak numbers with many birds spread out across the southern shores of the harbour. The results from our December WeBS count should be through soon so we’ll publish the results when they’re through.

There seem to be a lot of Blackcap being reported from people’s gardens around the Poole and outer conurbation area with some gardens in central Poole even seeing up to and between 5-10 different individual birds visiting at any one time. One way to attract Blackcap at this time of year is by placing ‘fat cakes’ out but they also love fruit too. These birds have an interesting background and aren’t hangers on from of our own summer population here in the UK but have in fact all been found to come from central Europe where they prefer to spend the winter in the south-western and southern shores of our country, rather than making the long journey all the way down into the Mediterranean which is where our summering Blackcap go. This behaviour is nothing new, and has been going on for several decades now, however it seems more and more are choosing to over-winter in the UK, taking advantage of food rich gardens and warm winters which makes you wonder how long it will be until our summering Blackcap just decide to stay too. For more info READ HERE.

Highlights from today included 3 Goldeneye and 2 Red-breasted Merganser in Poole Park, 20+ Spoonbill on Shipstal Point, 1 Great Northern Diver from the Chain Ferry, good variety of wildfowl in Holes Bay north and Upton Country Park and a Marsh Titat Holmebridge. At last a Bittern has been seen in the harbour with a bird seen in flight over the mouth of the Frome at dawn which we hope may show again throughout the rest of the winter. Swineham Point would be a good place to check at dawn and dusk. Also a tight group of 10 Cattle Egret were seen heading west along the Arne Moors shoreline which are likely to be the Holme Lane birds heading out to feed. Its also nice when out birding to spot other interesting wildlife sightings and this morning we found fresh Otter tracks underneath Holmebridge.

Otter Tracks – Holmebridge

This morning we took a survey boat out around the harbour to try and gage totals of open water species and were thrilled to see Goldeneye numbers had reached 49 which is the highest count this winter after a very poor start, although we should be nearer the 100 mark at this time of year. Other totals included 3 Great Northern Diver, with one off Baiter, one near the harbour mouth and another in the North Channel. Red-breasted Merganser totals also seemed to have increased with c200 around the harbour and c75 Great Crested Grebe. Only 8 Black-necked Grebe were logged but it was assumed the rest were out in Studland Bay, on Shipstal, 18 Spoonbill were roosting. The ringtail Hen Harrier quartered along the Keysworth shoreline and 2 Marsh Harrier rose out of Giggers Island at Dawn. The White-fronted Goose was out on Bestwall with the Greylag flock, the Little Owl was seen at Holton Lee and a Barn Owl was seen at Middlebere. The Mandarin was still in Poole Park and the Black Redstart was along Pearce Avenue on the shoreline. A Great White Egret was on Redhorn Point, Brands Bay and 3 Cattle Egret were along Holme Lane. Firecrests were at Arne, Upton CP and Holes Bay. In Middlebere the impressive sight of c500 Avocet, c300 Lapwing, c500 Wigeon and Teal, c400 Brent Geese plus Grey Plover, Dunlin and 2 Spoonbill was still to be had and at Lytchett Bay a Spotted Redshank was present, a species that’s exceptionally scarce this winter.

Great Northern Diver – Near the harbour mouth – Paul Morton

Siskin – Holton Lee – John Pick

HAPPY NEW YEAR! With a nice block of high pressure sitting over us for the start of the new year it made for a nice start to New Year birding, with plenty of people out building their 2019 lists!

The harbour received some good coverage and saw the White-fronted Goose at Bestwall with the Greylag flock, 1 Ruff and 6 Golden Plover flushed off the Keysworth estate by gunfire, which then flew up and headed up the Piddle Valley. 7 Cattle Egret were in fields below the Worgret Manor, which were viewable from Bog Lane along with c200 Redwing and Fieldfare too and a good finch flock consisting mainly of Chaffinch but would well be worth watching for scarcer species over the course of the winter. A Great White Egret was at Little Sea, Studland. The Mandarin Duck was still in Poole Park and was joined by a feral (and un-tickable) Bar-headed Goose (as lovely as it is though) with 4 Goldeneye still on the main lake. Three Great Northern Diver were logged with 2 in Brands Bay and 1 off Baiter.  Off Shipstal Point there were 21 Spoonbill. Off Middle Beach, Studland there were 12 Black-necked Grebe and a single Slavonian Grebe with another 6 Black-necked Grebe in Bramble Bush Bay. A ringtail Hen Harrier was in Poole Harbour west and 2 Marsh Harrier were in the mouth of the Frome. In Bramble Bush Bay a high count of 31 Sanderling were on the shoreline and 3 Sandwich Tern were off Baiter. At Arne there were 2 Firecrest with another at Upton CP. In Holes Bay north, a good selection of waders and wildfowl filled the mudflats and tideline with Avocet, Pintail, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon all present in good numbers. At Norden sewagae works there were 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest with a further c10 Chiffchaff at the PC World drain, consisting on 2 pale tristis types.

As the year draws to an end we look back at another incredible year for our charity, which now seems to have come on such a long way from the simple beginnings back in 2012. Our environment needs us more than ever, and our New Years resolution is to tackle as much as we can head on, but in the most positive and effective manner possible, with the aim of making things better for both birds and people right across the harbour working with other NGO’s, landowners, farmers, councils and the public. So, here’s wishing you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and lets make 2019 a flipping good one.

To see us out, there were no last minute surprises today but a nice selection of species that have kept us entertained during the latter part of the year. The Black Redstart that was along Elms Avenue, Whitecliff was seen again along Pearce Avenue. The drake Mandarin was on the small pond at Poole Park with several Goldeneye and Merganser on the main lake. and off Middle Beach, Studland there were 17 Black-necked Grebe. Along Holme Lane 10 Cattle Egret were in fields on the opposite side of Hog Lane and from Baiter Beach there were 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Great Northern Diver, 11 Goldeneye, 11 Great Crested Grebe and 52 Red-breasted Merganser. In Brands Bay a pale-belled Brent Goose was with the dark-bellied Brent flock and there were 95 Grey Plover. The juvenile White-fronted Goose was still in fields behind Curlews cottage, Swineham and 2 different Hen Harrier were seen heading towards Middlebere late afternoon.

Today was Poole Harbour WeBS day, and as always increased coverage provided higher than usual sightings. Starting the day off with a dawn watch from Shipstal Point, Arne saw 1 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver, 23 Goldeneye, 21 Spoonbill, 63 Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Common Seal. From Middle Beach, looking out into Studland bay there were 21 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Great Northern Diver and 7 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Great Crested Grebe. Out from Bramble Bush Bay there was another single Great Northern Diver with another in Brands Bay, 17 Sanderling and another 4 Black-necked Grebe meaning there were a minimum f31 in and around the harbour today. A Marsh Harrier entered the harbour mouth as did a small flock of Lapwing and Little Sea was looking healthier with a decent sized group of Wigeon and Teal. At Bestwall the White-fronted Goose was still with Greylags and off Swineham Point there were 934 Lapwing and 3 Bearded Tit in the reedbeds and a single Pochard was on the main pit. At dawn 2 Marsh Harrier stirred in the mouth of the From and a pre-dawn walk on Hartland saw several Woodcock out feeding using our night-sight equipment. At Norden Sewage Works there were 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, c50 Redwing and just 1 Fieldfare, 2 Bullfinch and 6 Red-legged Partridge on the road. Along Holme Lane there were 10 Cattle Egret today with another7 in fields below the Worgret Manor Hotel along with 2 Egyptian Geese. The Mandarin Duck is still in Poole Park and grabbing the attention away from the more handsome Goldeneye.

Not a huge amount reported to us today other than 15 Black-necked Grebe out in Studland Bay!

With all this calm weather it’s made watching areas of open water and counting birds much easier. Out from Shipstal Point, Arne 25 Spoonbill, 10 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Slavonian Grebe were logged. Out in Studland Bay there were 15 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great Northern Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Great Crested Grebe. From Jerry’s Point, Studland 5 Great Northern Diver were logged off the southern Brownsea shoreline. Some of the Cattle Egret flock (10) moved back to Nutcrack Lane whilst there were 5 along Holme Lane. Merlin were reported from Middlebere and Hartland and there were 2 different Short-eared Owl hunting with one on Slepe Heath whilst another was out at Swineham Point. The White-fronted Goose was still at Bestwall with the Greylag flock. With the still weather and warm sun its got plenty of Song Thrush on the go with numerous birds in full song around the harbour and species such as Dunnock and Great Tit have even begun to think its spring. However the longer term forecast looks as if cold weather sets back in by the end of January so enjoy this early snippet of spring while it lasts.

With a near perfect dawn we headed out and did a quick dash around the harbour this AM, checking numerous water bodies. Prior to dawn breaking we had 4 Woodcock on Hartland Stud and a Barn Owl at Middlebere. From Jerry’s Point there were 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Great Northern Diver, 7 Red-breasted Merganser and 12 Grey Plover with 18 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver off Middle Beach and a Firecrest in the car park and 5 Black-necked Grebe, 7 Goldeneye and 10 Spoonbill of Shipstal Point, Arne. Along Holme Lane there were 10 Cattle Egret and at Swineham 9 Bearded Tit were at the end of the footpath  along with a Marsh Harrier and a Short-eared Owl was seen again over Hartland Moor. At Holmebridge a single Ruff was on the floods along with 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine and 3 Egyptian Geese. A Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen along Bog Lane.

Firecrest – Middle Beach car park – Paul Morton